Quote for today…
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words. -Unknown
Welcome to “Thursday Numbers!” If you are a first-time visitor, this is the weekly column where I look at the numbers in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary sometimes sprinkled with sarcasm and humor.
This week’s topics include Tyreek Hill, nation, state, and local COVID numbers, unemployment claims, Ketanji Brown Jackson, TWW poll results, Biden approval numbers, worldwide gas prices, and much more!
120,000,000
The Kansas City Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to Miami for a package of draft picks Wednesday, and the Dolphins are giving the three-time All-Pro wide receiver a $120 million, four-year contract extension that makes Hill the highest-paid player at his position in NFL history. (AP)
Not everyone on the Chiefs can get paid. I hate to lose Hill. Nobody they have on the current roster can fill his shoes.
974,830
That is how many people have died in the United States from coronavirus, according to the latest data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. There have been 79,844,497 cases across the country so far. The first death in the USA was reported on February 29, 2020. (Johns Hopkins)
Last week, the death total was 968,331.
Thanks to everyone who wears a mask and has been vaccinated – you are patriots!
559,214
That is how many Montanans have been fully immunized for COVID-19. This is still just 55% of the eligible population. (Source)
Last week, the number of fully immunized Montanans was 558,232.
Find COVID-19 Vaccines Near You by clicking HERE.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Montana’s population in April 2020 was 1,084,225.
187,000
In the week ending March 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 187,000, a decrease of 28,000 from the previous week’s revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since September 6, 1969 when it was 182,000. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 214,000 to 215,000. The 4-week moving average was 211,750, a decrease of 11,500 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 250 from 223,000 to 223,250. (DOL)
Note: On Thursdays, this column is published right after 6:30 a.m. (Montana time), so I can post the latest unemployment numbers.
58
Initial public support for judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court ties as the highest Gallup has measured for any recent nominee. Fifty-eight percent of Americans say the Senate should vote in favor of Jackson serving on the Supreme Court. Only current Chief Justice John Roberts, at 59% in 2005, had a level of support on par with that for Jackson. Most other nominees had support in the low 50% range, with five below that mark. (Gallup)
I’ve watched several confirmation hearings and Chief Justice John Roberts was the most impressive of them all.
The confirmation hearings have turned into a clown show.
55
This week’s poll question asked, “Do you support a NATO-enforced no-fly zone over Ukraine?”
Here are the results:
NO: 55%
YES: 26%
UNDECIDED: 19%
Thanks to everyone who participated.
50
The Cascade County (Great Falls, MT) City-County Health Department reports that as of Wednesday still only 50% of eligible individuals in the county are fully vaccinated. (Source)
The “Community Level” is rated as “Low” in Cascade County.
C’mon people – get vaccinated!
42
According to FiveThirtyEight.com, that is President Joe Biden’s current approval rating. (Source)
Last week, Biden’s approval rating was 42.6%
0.095 – 10.904
That is the price per gallon of gas around the world as of March 21, 2022. (Source)
In the USA, the price on March 21 was $4.63. The week before (March 14), the price in the USA was $4.68.
The Western Word 